Guns can be expensive. In fact, they can be so expensive that owning one for self-defense and/or concealed carry is cost prohibitive for the working man. In light of that, Breitbart News thought it would be helpful to pull together information on ten guns that can be acquired brand-new for around $300.
These guns are predominantly semiautomatic and vary in caliber from .32 auto to 40 caliber. They also include a revolver, which presents another caliber option—.38 Special.
The bottom line is that the ten guns below have enough variation that there should be something in the list that meets the needs for anyone who is looking for gun they can keep at home and/or carry concealed each day for self-defense.
The guns are not presented in any particular order:
Photo: Ruger
Ruger LCP—The Ruger LCP is chambered in .380 auto, which produces recoil that is manageable for men and women. The LCP holds six rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber, for a total of seven rounds. It is double action only, which means it has a very long trigger pull. But such a trigger provides an added layer of safety against accidental discharges when the gun is carried in a purse. The .380 auto has sufficient stopping power against an attacker and, because the LCP is a Ruger, you know it is going to work. The price for an LCP is approximately $230.
Photo: Kel-Tec
Kel-Tec P32—The Kel-Tec P32 is a super lightweight semiautomatic chambered in .32 auto. This is a smaller round than the .380 auto, but it still provides protection. Like the Ruger LCP, the P32 is double action only, which means it has a long trigger pull. But a gun owner who takes time to practice with the weapon will get acclimated to the trigger rather quickly. The P32 only weighs 6.6 ounces unloaded. This means the gun is so light that a clip can be attached to the outside of it, allowing a woman to put the gun between her pants and her hip when she walks or even between her sweats and her hip when she jogs. The weight of the gun and the availability of the clip also make it a perfect boot gun for guys who wear cowboy boots and are looking for a backup gun. The Kel-Tec P32 costs approximately $240.
Photo: Taurus
Taurus 709 Slim 9—The Taurus 709 Slim 9 provides more firepower than the Ruger LCP or Kel-Tec P32, inasmuch as it is chambered in 9mm. However, it is a larger gun—weighing 19 ounces empty. But the good news about the increased size is that the gun holds seven in the magazine and one in the chamber, for a total of eight rounds. This means the person carrying it has eight rounds of 9mm at the ready, should a need for self-defense arise. A wide array of concealed carry holsters are available for the 709 Slim from companies like Clinger Holsters. The 709 Slim costs approximately $250.
Photo: SCCY
SCCY CPX-2—The SCCY CPX-2 is a 9mm semiautomatic that holds ten rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber, for a total of 11 rounds. The CPX-2 is double-action only, which means the trigger pull is long. However, the gun is extremely accurate and weighs in at 15 ounces unloaded. The weight is sufficient to keep the recoil of the 9mm in check, making this gun easy to shoot (which makes it a great option for concealed carry). Concealed carry holsters are readily available for the CPX-2 and the gun can be ordered in a number of different colors, for those who want their concealed carry firearm to match their personality. The CPX-2 costs approximately $250.
Photo: Taurus
Taurus 85—The Taurus 85 revolver is actually a family of classic, snub-nosed .38 Special +P revolvers that are perfect for concealed carry and/or placing on night stand for dealing with things that go boom in the night. The 85 is an iconic .38 revolver which has proven to be durable and accurate. The gun ranges slightly higher in price than other guns on this list—starting at about $300 and going up to $360—but is a serious option for someone seeking a carry gun that is not a semiautomatic.
Photo: Bersa
Bersa Thunder—Bersa Thunder 380 pistols come in a variety of variants chambered in .380 auto. The guns are double action/single action, which means that after the first round is fired the recoil uses the slide to cock the hammer so the gun is ready for the next shot. The Thunder weighs 20 ounces and holds eight rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber, for a total of nine rounds. The Thunder series is very popular and concealed carry holsters for the pistol line are readily available. The Thunder can be purchased for approximately $280-290.
Photo: Kel-Tec
Kel-Tec P-11—The Kel-Tec P-11 is a 9mm handgun that holds ten rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber, for a total of 11 rounds. The P-11 is double action only, which means it has the long trigger pull typical of double action only semiautomatics. The P-11 weights 14 ounces unloaded. Holsters and aftermarket accessories are readily available for the P-11. The approximate price for the P-11 is $230.
Photo: Taurus
Taurus 22 Poly Pistol—The Taurus 22 Poly Pistol is a .22 LR semiautomatic that weighs 11 ounces unloaded. The Poly Pistol holds eight rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber, for a total of nine rounds. Like so many of the guns on this list, the Poly Pistol is double action only, which means it has a long trigger pull, but that pull helps lessen the chances of an accidental discharge should the gun snag on something in a purse or a pocket. The Poly Pistol also has a unique feature in that the barrel can be released to swivel upward–to “tip up” from the rear–allowing you to load a round in the chamber without having to pull the slide back to do so. This is a beneficial feature for someone with arthritic or otherwise weakened hands. The Poly Pistol costs approximately $230.
Photo: Ruger
Ruger LCP II—The Ruger LCP II is a pocket pistol chambered in .380 auto that differs from the original LCP in that the trigger has a built-in safety. The trigger is also designed to give the feel of a single action, which means a shorter pull. The LCP holds six rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber, for a total of seven rounds. The LCP II costs approximately $290.
Photo: Bersa
Bersa BP 40 CC—At a price of $320-$340 the Bersa BP 40 CC costs slightly more than the majority of guns on this list, but it is still inexpensive enough to be considered as a serious option. The BP 40 is a super compact .40 caliber handgun that holds seven in the magazine and one in the chamber, for a total of eight rounds. The gun is basic, but durable and powerful. The BP 40 is also extremely concealable.
Regardless of which gun you purchase, be sure to take time to familiarize yourself with the gun and the laws on carrying a gun in your state of residence.
AWR Hawkins is the Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and host of Bullets with AWR Hawkins, a Breitbart News podcast. He is also the political analyst for Armed American Radio. Follow him on Twitter: @AWRHawkins. Reach him directly at awrhawkins@breitbart.com.
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